JOPLIN, MO. – Christina Clifford has been named Freeman Health System’s System Director of Revenue Cycle. She’s excited to return to the employer that helped launch her professional career from 2007 to 2015 as Freeman’s patient accounts support coordinator.
“[Freeman] is where I first discovered my passion for healthcare revenue-cycle operations and improvement,” Clifford said. “Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead teams across multiple health systems and physician groups, focusing on technical billing, workflow optimization, and compliance. Returning to Freeman feels meaningful and full circle. I’m grateful for the chance to bring my experience back to an organization that serves the community I care deeply about.”
After leaving Southwest Missouri, Clifford worked for various healthcare systems based in Texas, Maryland and, most recently, Michigan, where she worked for Healthrise, in support of Trinity Health System, as regional director of revenue site operations and revenue integrity.
What excites her most about her new role at Freeman has everything to do with partnering with teams systemwide to strengthen processes, reduce friction, and support the people doing the difficult day-to-day work, she said.
“When we build clarity and consistency into our workflows, we create space for staff to thrive and for patients to receive the best possible experience.”
As director of revenue cycle, Clifford will manage the entire financial process of the region’s single largest employer, from patient scheduling and insurance verification to final payment collection. Strong foundations, she said, lead to strong outcomes.
“My initial priorities are to listen, learn, and understand the current state from the people closest to the work,” she said. “From there, I want to focus on building consistency, improving accuracy, and creating processes that support both staff and patients.”
Overall, “Great leadership means creating clarity, removing barriers, and supporting people with respect and transparency,” she said, drawing from her 15 years of proven experience and success in patient financial and revenue-cycle operations. “In healthcare, it also means remembering that every process ultimately touches a patient; and leading with that awareness in mind.”
Clifford received both her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from Ashford University, Forbes School of Business, in Chandler, Arizona.
“Returning to Freeman feels like coming home,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that shaped me and to support the teams who care for our patients every day. I look forward to listening, learning, and partnering with teams across the organization as we continue building a revenue cycle that supports exceptional care for every patient we serve.”
About Freeman Health System:
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital, Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, Inc., and Ozark Center—the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services—as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics, and a variety of specialty services. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
Reference:
Kevin McClintock, Media Relations Coordinator
Freeman Health System
417.434.3458
KSMcclintock@freemanhealth.com
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